The morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, May 24, 1890, Image 1
( THE MORNING NEWB, 1 J E-tASLlshid ISSO. Incobporatbulßßß. r | J. 11. ESTILL, President. ) QUAY’S BLACK COHORTS. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESULT OF TWO CONTESTS. Colored Men Lanaraton and Miller Seated in Order to Satisfy the Col ored Voters In the North—Southern White Republicans Alarmed at the Pull of the Negroes. Washington, May 23. —The republican managers really care nothing about the negroes of the south, but ever since they have learned that the negroes of the north hold the balance of power in all the doubt ful states, they have been very solicitous about them. This accounts for the action of the House elections committee to-day in deciding in favor of Langston of Virginia and Miller of South Carolina, colored con testants, and also in deciding against Chal mers of Mississippi, a white contestant. THE ORIGINAL, INTENTION. It was the intention of the majority of the committee on elections at the beginning of the session, as stated by several members of it, to refuse to seat either of the three colored contestants, Langston, Miller and Hill of Mississippi, in spite of the fact even that Langston had made a regular bargain with the repub lican national committee before he went out to take part in the Ohio campaign last year that in consideration of the speeches he was to make in Ohio he should have the support of the committee in his contest. He was to be thrown out to please Mahone, the majority having less difficulty in doing this because Venable, a democrat, was plainly elected by Mahone’s detection. WHY THE POLICY HAS BEEN CHANGED. But now it seems probable that all three colored men will be seated, unless, indeed, they are kept out by the white republicans from tLe south representing negro districts, who foresee, as Mahone foresaw, that to seat the colored contestants is to inspire the nomination of colored men for congress in all the black districts. The chango in the minds of the majority of the committee has unquestionably been brought about directly by threats and warnings conveyed verbally and by letters from colored leaders in the northern states as to the effect upon the colored vote in the north of discriminations against colored contestants from the south. IT SETTLED CHALMERS. The same influences operated to prevent a favorable report on Chalmers, who has a better case than Jim Hill [colored], ,the other contestant from Mississippi, who will probably be seated. Ben Wade’s speech denouncing Chalmers as the “Butcher of Fort Pillow” has been circulated among the colored people all over the north, especially in the state of Ohio, from which much of the pressure upon the committee bas come. The votes in the committee on those cases were interesting. That on the Chalmers case was unanimous, except that Mr. Houk of Tennessee reserved the right to change his mind. That on Langston was a strict party vote, except that Mr. Berger of Camden, N. J., refused to vote, and that Mr. Houk voted for Langston “with doubt.” CRISP IN THE FRAY. Before the vote was taken on the resolu tion to seat Langston, Mr. Crisp, as the spokesmen of the democrats, offered a resolution declaring that Mr. Venable, the democratic coutestee, was elected and en titled to the seat. All the democrats voted for this. Messrs. Bergen and Houk refused to vi ite and it was defeated by the other re publican votes. The majority on this com mittee has always been large enough to overcome the defection of one or two members. The democrats were ready to proceed at once with the case of Jim Hill against Catchings, but the republicans asked time, and so it was postponed for a week. The probability is that the repub licans postponed action in order to consult with Senator Quay on his return next week, for Senator Quay Is almost as anxious to seat Hill as be was to keep Langston out on account of his friend Mahone. SALE OF A CONSULSHIP. It will be remembered that as chairman of the republican national committee, in a des perate attempt to get some evidence which could be used to unseat Catchings and seat Hill, Senator Quay bought from William Sorsby, who had been on the loading demo cratic newspaper in that district, some pri vate letters belonging to the editor of that paper which were capable of being twisted so as to be embarrassing to Catchings. Sen ator Quay paid for those letters with the assistance of Secretary Blaine and President Harrison with the office of consul at Guay aquil Senator Quay had a great deal of difficulty in getting Sorsby confirmed, but he succeeded after a two days’ fight. ANOTHER CASE OF BRIBERY. He had less difficulty in paying for the manufactured evidence of another fellow in that district to the effect that he changed 150 ballots from Hill to Catchings in one of the voting places, for he had only to speak to Secretary Windom to get him a good place in the treasury department. It is obvious, however, that unless Senator Quay can get the republicans to unseat Catchings and seat Hill it will seem to the party workers as though he had wasted these two offices without justification. BULLOCK TO GO. Action is likely to be taken in the Flor ida case next week, and it is likely to be adverse to Bullock, the sitting member. Having secured all the votes they need tr the party majority, the republicans ere now carrying on this election contest movement simply for the purpose of inducing the north to believe that there is need of a fed eral election law for use, of course, solely in the south. PINKERTON’S FANCIED PERIL. The Revenue Cutter to be Kept at Cedar Key to Protect Him. Washington, May 23.—Secretary of the Treasury Windom bas received a telegram from Collector Pinkerton at Cedar Key, Ila., saying that the town is still controlled hy the Cottrell influence, the situation being critical, and that there wijl be no safety for United States officials there until he is arrested, especially if the revenue cutter McLane should leave there. Orders were issued from the treasury department to-day for the McLane to remain at Cedar Key until the officials there consider that her services are no longer required. Oleomargarine and the Laws. Washington, May 23. In the House this morning Mr. Flower of New York in troduced a bill.subjecting oleomargarine to the provisions of the laws of the several states. It was referred. Postmasters Confirmed. Washington, May 23.— The Senate has confirmed the nominations of the following postmasters: George Hudson, at Key West, cla., and Francis D. Pratt, at Canton, Miss. Mobile's Shipping Commissioner. Washington, May 23.—The Secretary Sf the Treasury has appointed Henry C. thrower shipping commissioner of Mobile. ISljf Utofning ffctojS. KEMMLBR WILL BE SHOCKED. The United Btates Supreme Court De cides that Electricity is All Right. W ashington. May 23.—The supreme court of the United States to-day denied the application for a writ of error in the case of Kemmler, under sentence of death by electricity. The opinion is by Chief Justice Fuller. The opinion first recites the proceedings in the lower court) leading up to the bring ing of the case to this court. The court says that It is urged in Kemmlar’s behalf that the Fourteenth amendment is a prohi bition on the state of the imposition of cruel and unusual punishment, this being in cluded in the term, “Due process of law.” The origin of the phrase, “Cruel and unusual punishment,” the court said, was in an English act of 1688, and meant that barbarous methods of punishment should not be inflicted. It meant that a man should not be sentenced to death by torture, but did not mean that the death penalty itself was cruel. The court of appeals, the opinion says, held that the punishment inflicted on Kemmler was unusual, but there was no evidence to show that it was cruel. THE LEGISLATURE NOT IN IGNORANCE. The legislature of New York had the facts bearing upon this question, aud the court must presume that the legislature had devised a punishment which it thought less cruel than the former mode. That decision, the court says, was not against any special privilege set up by the prisoner, and was so plainly right that the court would not be justified in overruling it. The fourteenth amendment did not materially change the whole theory of the government. Citizens still remain—citizens both of the state and of the United States. The only change is that the amendment furnishes an additional guarantee against the encroach ment by the state upon the fundamental rights of citizens. The privileges and im munities of citizens of the United States are, indeed, protected by them. These are priv ileges arising out of the essential nature aud character of the national government. DUE PROCESS OF LAW. The court quotes the opinion in the Hurtado case on the meaning of the phrase, “Due process of law.” The change in the form of death was within the legitimate sphere of the legislative power of the state. The legislature of the state of New York determined that it did not iufliet cruel and unusual punishment, and its courts have sustained that determination. This court cannot see that the prisoner has been de prived of due process of law. In order to reverse the judgment this oourt should bo compelled to bold that the court of appeals had committed an error so gross as to de prive the prisoner of his constitutional rights. The court has no hesitation in say ing that it cannot do this. SENATORS AND THE TARIFF. Carlisle's Chance to Fight the Bill the Second Time. Washington, May 23.—McKinley’s tariff Dill, engrossed in the highest style of the art, was carefully carried in the arms of Clerk McPherson into the Senate chamber at 2 o’clock this afternoon. It was formally referred to the finance committee, but act ually hurried away to the government printing office, with a special order to print 10,000 copies of it. The mem bears of the committee on finance will have copies of it, and of the somewhat misleading tables of comparative rates prepared by the ways and means committee, on the first of next weak. IN SECRET SESSION. The republicans of the committee will then go into secret session on it, giving hearings to any considerable interest which has political influence enough to get before the committee, aud proceeding to mature anew, Independent bill, to be submitted to the Senate as a substitute for McKinley’s pride. When the substitute is ready the democratic members of the committee will have a chance to look at it and to write a minority report upon it, as they will un doubtedly w.sh to, although, excepting the sugar and woolen schedules, the new Senate bill will differ from the old Senate bill, as from the McKinley bill, by making reduc tions. CARLISLE’S PRIVILEGE. Mr. Carlisle will thus have the unpar alleled privilege of writing as well as he has of voting on behalf of the minority in the finance committee of both houses at the same session, for he will of course prepare the minority report in the Senate as he did in the House. Ho will also lead the Senate conferees and will lead the minority fight on the most important battle ground, namely, the field of the conference commit tee, for the conference committee in 1890 as in 1883, will really frame the tariff act, putting into it, probably against the protest of Mr. Carlisle and his demo cratic associates, as did its predecessor against the protests of Mr. Carlisle, Bayard and the other minority conferees, important provisions never submitted to either the House or the Senate. The probability is that the Fourth of July will come before the conference committee meets, in spite of Speaker Reed’s prodiction that congress would be at home to celebrate independence day. CARLISLE AS SENATOR. His Credentials Didn't Arrive Yester day as Expected. Washington, May 23.—Speaker Carlisle having been born on Friday, married on Friday, first nominated to congress on Fri day and nominated to the Senate on Friday, has no superstitious instincts against be ginning things on Friday. Hence he would very willingly have taken the oath of office and begun his service as senator to-day if his credentials had arrived in time, but they will not be here before to-morrow morning, and so he will wait until Monday. TO SUCCEED BECK. It will be gratifying to tho whole country to know that Senator Vest, having waived his traditional right to the vacancy on the finance committee created by the death of Senator Beck, in order that Mr. Carlisle might be appointed to it, the democratic senators have unanimously agreed to recom mend Mr. Carlisle’s appointment to Vice President Morton, who will thereupon make it. Asa matter of course Senator Vest and the other democrats are oandid enough and courageous enough to admit that this nlace, involving the leadership of the demo crats on the tariff, belongs by right of eminent fitness to Mr. Carlisle, and they have set aside all senatorial traditions of precedence in order to give it to him. Neither Mr. Vest or Mr. Blackburn is likely to succeed Mr. Beck on the commit tee on appropriations. WHAT MOONSHINERS DODGE. Collections of Internal Revenue for the Past Year. Washington, May 23.—The collections of internal revenue for the first ten months of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, were $114,545,276, or $9,724,354 more than the col lections for the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. The principal items of increase are: Spirit*. $6,500,000; tobacco and fermented liquors, $1,500,000. CLARKSON ON THE SOUTH AS WAS TO BE EXPECTED, HE PAINTS US VERY BLACK. His Speech Opened by an Overdrawn Picture of the Assault on Abbeville's Negro Postmaster—The Old Chest nut Concerning the Suppression of the Republican Vote. Boston, Mass., May 23.— Prominent gentlemen from all parts of the state were present at Young’s this afternoon to meet J. S. Clarkson, First Assistant Postmaster General, who was the guest of the Norfolk Club. Prior to the banquet an informal reception was given the visitors. Lieut. Gov. Haile gave Mr. Clarkson a hearty welcome on behalf of the state. Mr. Clarkson spoke on the southern ques tion, civil service reform and the tariff. A curious figure, he said, sits at the door of one of the departments in Washington. Ho is a black man and stamped with God’s evidences of manhood and courage, but he is piteous with marks of man’s brutality. He was for twenty years a teacher in South Carolina, and lived an honest Ufa He is now maimed and disfigured. One leg is broken and he lies at right angles. One arm is broken and is now paralyzed. Whenever I hear of the chivalry of the southern men, when I hear of the glory of our superior Caucasian race, I think of this poor man, with his injuries. WAS ABBEVILLE’S POSTMASTER. About a year ago he was appointed post master at Abbeville. That night sixteen members of our superior Caucasian race, booted and armed, went to his home, dragged him from bed, stripped him, beat him with whips made of barbed wire, and jumped on hitn one after another, breaklug one of his arms and oue of his legs. They wore no masks. The poor mun knew them all. His offense wa3 that he was a republican, and that he had been appointed uuder a republican ad ministraiton to a postoffleo whioh they were determined he should never hold. It was an unequal contest, sixteen of the superior Saxon race, armed, to one poor member of tho African race unarmed. After this work a declination of the office was forged in his name aud sent to Washington aud another man was appointed. As soon as he was able he camo to W ashington on his crutches to tell the story of his wrongs. All that could be done was to place hitn as a door keeper. AN ERRONEOUS ASSERTION. This is but one of many instances in tho south where republicans are not allowed to hold office. Every sort of terrorism Is in voked to prevent it. First, there is peace ful terrorism to prevent any one from goiug on their bonds. Next there is terrorism of notaries and county clerks or officers with seals to present them from certifying to the sufficiency of the bonds. If these means fail, then open and overt methods are invoked to prevent a republican from holding office in a democratic community. There are hundreds of communities in the south wherein no republican of any kind is per mitted to hold office. There are thousands of communities where a republican, If he happen to be black, dare not take an office if appointed to it Democrats may cast a vote in peace anywhere in this land. In thousands of places a republican, solely because he is a republican, may not vote at all, or else not have his vote counted. A republican may be arrested and tried in any commu nity in any state. In hundreds of commu nities in the south a democrat cannot even be arrested, much less tried and convicted, for any political crime. Not only is tne re publican bill of wrongs to plead now, but democratic defiance of the law and authority goes still farther. COURTS MADE OUTLAWS. The courts of the United States are also made outlaws in certain states, and denied their authority and abridged of their power, and their judges left to sit helpless in their seats, unable to enforce the law or their own processes, or even to protect witnesses called before them. If the first duties of the government are to insure human liberty and protect buman life; then these are the largest questions before the American people. So I come to this traditional fountain of American intel ligence and courage to ask why an Ameri can who is a republican has fewer rights than an American who is a democrat? TIME TO SETTLE THE PROBLEM. It is time to set up standards for fair play all over this republic. The nation has waited patiently ever since the war for the south to settle this problem. It has now been twenty-five years and the problem is still unsolved. One mistake was that the United States did not settle this question immediately at the close of the war, for the war changed all conditions of citizenship. Before that time citizen shipjjwas a matter of state, and only incidentally of the nation. The verdict of that conflict changed the condition, amended the constitution and made supreme allegiance of the voter due to the United States. The nation is now face to face with the duty whether in its sovereign power it shall allow Georgia, South Carolina or any state to prevent an American citizen from exercising his constitutional right to vote. A FEDERAL ELECTION LAW. Let the states rule thoir own affairs. The north can concede that to the south. But in all elections affecting the United States— of congressmen of the United States, sena tors or President —it is the duty of the United States, and clearly within its power, to set such safeguards about the voter that he shall be allowod to cast his vote in peace and have it faithfully counted. With the Republican party having full power—con gress and the executive departments—it will be as false to posterity as to itself if it does not exercise its power under the con stitution to make American citizenship equal and complete in all parts of the re public. There is a larger question in this that) that of politics. There is the question of humanity and duty to God. GRADY’S SPEECH. When Mr. Grady came to Boston and with a speech as sweet as the music that fell from David’s harp asked the north to shut its eyes and sear its conscience, and let the south do as it pleased, he asked a groat deal more than the north could grant. Even if the Republican party could forget its con science before God and no longer seek to protect its members in the southern states, and no longer seek to make the republic honest, still ther e would remain the Christian conscience of the nation to prevent the petition being granted. So the answer must be made on conscience by all Americans who believe in the hu inarmy of man and the fatherhood of God, that if the Bouth cannot settle what is oalled the southern question and give all citizens a right to vote, the United Statoß. must and still settle it IGNORANCE OF THE NEGRO. The erv of the south that the negro is ignorant and therefore cannot vote can no longer be heard. The case is closed on that part of the argument The nation has given the black man the vote, and the nation should see that he is allowed to cast it, and by the Blair bill or kindred measure the nation is goiug to help the south get rid of both SAVANNAH, GA., SATURDAY, MAY 24, 1890. black and white ignorance. The cry of ig norance, too, is false in large part, for the census of 1880 shows that while there were 3,000,000 blacks who could not read and write there were also 1,700,000 white# who could not read and write, so that the inferior black race, as it is called, does not suffor so very much, counting tbe centuries its people were in slavery, when compared with our superior white race, which has always had open schools and a chance for educa tion. The south has never boen able to impose an educational test, for it could not do it without disfranchising hundreds of thousands of its white voters. So it has resorted to other means. POLITICS OF THE PRESS. Mr. Clarkson closed his speech with some interesting newspaper statistics and an appeal for greater activity on tho part of the republican press. He said that there are in this country 255 republican dailies with a circulation over 1,000 copies each, and 320 democratic dailies of that class. The republican dailies have an aggregate circulation of over 1,500,000 and tne democratic dailies 2,500,000. The republicans have 889 weeklies with a circulation of over 1,000 each and a combined circulation of 2,500,000, and the democrats 1,346 weeklies, with a circu lation of 4,250,000. The magazines that support the Democratic party have a circu lation of nearly 590,000, while those that support the Republican party even by in direction have less than 100,000. Several other speakers were also heard. SESSION OF THE SENATE. A Bill as to Phosphate Lands—lnva sion of Cedar Key. Washington, May 23.— 1n the Senate this morning a bill was reported by Mr. Pasco and placed on the calendar for tbe protection of actual settlers in Florida on lands on which deposits of phosphates have been discovered since the entries were made. Mr. Butler introduced a bill, which was referred to the library committee, appro priating $50,000 for an equestrian statue of Gen. Francis Marion, to bo erected at Co lumbia, S. C. Mr. Faulkner gave notioo of an amend ment to the bill relating to Honors imported into prohibitory states, providing that such liquors shall be considered as incorporated as part of the common mass of property within the state aud subject to regulation, control aud taxation in the exercise of state police powers. Mr. Call offered a resolution calling on the President for information as to the landing of an armed force from the revenue cutter McCune at Cedar Key, Fla., the forcible entry of bouses, the pursuit of citizens in the surrounding country, and asked for its adoption. Mr. Edmunds—Let it go over. Idono t know that it states the truth. The resolution went over. NAVAL APPROPRIATIONS. Consideration of the naval appropriations bill was then resumed. The appropriation committee’s amendment* striking out items of $50,000 each for the repair of the docks and buildings at the Boston ami Ports mouth, N. 11., navy yards, wore disagreed to, aud these appropriations romain iu the bill. Several other amendments reported by the committee on appropriations to strike put other items for tho same navy yards wore likewise disagreed to. They were, however, the text of discussion over the general policy as to the condemning or closing of most of the navy yards of the country. This discussion was participated in by'Messrs. Gorman, Call, Blair and Hiscook. Pending discussion, the silver bill was at 2 o’clock taken up as the unfinished busi ness, and laid aside informally. The tariff bill was received from the House and referred to the committee on financa Ten thousand copies were ordered printed for the use of the Senate. LOANS ON FARM LANDS. Mr. Stanford addressed the Senate in advocacy of the bill introduced by him some days ago, providing for loans by the government on agricultural lands. At the conclusion of Mr. Stanford’s speech upon his motion the bill was referred to the finance committee. Mr. Pugh gave notice of his intention to speak on the silver bill when it again comes up. The naval appropriation bill was again taken up, tho question being on the amend ment to strike out the item of $50,000 for the improvement of the plant at Ports mouth (N. H.) navy yard. The disoussiou was renewed, going over the questions of the public utility of the navy yards, of the political scandals to which their manage ment has given rise, of coast defense]|and of the policy of building up a strong navy. It was carried on by Messrs. Blair, lliscock, Hawley and Dolpb. The latter made an elaborate speech to prove that the expenditure of money id such ships as the new cruisers was a useless waste, that tbe possession of a strong navy was only an incentive to war; and that the correct policy was a system of floating bat teries and coast fortifications. He summed up a two hours’ speech by saying that, whilst he was in favor of a navy of reasonable dimensions,he was net in favor of constructing the ships recommended in the pending bills, and that while perfect defense of the coasts required a navy as well as land fortifications, the land fortifications ought to be first provided, as they were the most necessary. After an executive session, the Senate adjourned. • TRACKS TO SOUTH AMERICA. A Bill Introduced to Authorize a Gov ernment Survey. Washington, May 23.—Representative McCreary of Kentucky to-day introduced a bill to provide for a survey to bo made to encourage the construction of an intercon tinental railway to connect North and Bouth America The bill is in response to the rec ommendation of Secretary Blaine and Presi dent Harrison in their recent communica tion to congress. An appropriation of $65,000 is called for by the bill. Cherokee Strip Cattle. Washington, May 23. President Har rison having received information that cat tlemen are invading tbe Cherokee strip in violation of his recent proclamation, has in structed Brig. Gen. Merritt, comaudlug at St. Louis, to rigidly enforce the provisions of the proclamation against afl persons found violating it Government Loans on Land. Washington, May 23.—Representative Ewart of North Carolina to-day introduced a bill similar to tbe one introduced in the Senate by Senator Stanford, empowering tbe government to make loans on real estate secured by mortgage. The North Atlantic Squadron. Washington, May 23. -The North At lantic squadron will sail from Key West for Portland. Me., May 25, but will stop at Port Royal several days. The Supreme Court Adjourn a Washington, May 23. —The supreme oourt to-day adjourned for the term. The next term begins on the second Monday of October. RULES OF THE CHURCHES A NUMBER OF SUBJECTS ACTED ON BY THE PRESBYTERIANS. The Report of the Standing Commit tee on Education Adopted—A De cision to Stick to the Present Hym nal—A Gratifying Showing Made by the Sabbath Schools. Asheville, N. C., May 23.—1n the Pres byterian general assembly the report of the standing committee on publication was con sidered seratim. It was adopted after strik ing out the clause recommending that the report of the committee be printed at the same office as the regular proceedings. Concerning an overture from the Tran sylvania presbytery, asking the assembly to add to topics 9 and 11 of the narrative of the sessions the words “among church mem bars," tbe committee recommended that the request be granted. sticking to the old hymnal. An overture was road from the Atlanta presbytery asking tbe assembly to consider the subject of psalmody with a view to sup plying the ohurch wit i new hymn books better adapted to tbe use of the churches than the present one. The committee recommended that the overture be declined, since the executive committee, with the sanction of tho assembly, has put its Imprint upon the psalms, hymns and spiritual songs which soem to be equal to the present requirement*. It was recommended that no books, tract* or other literature should bo published by tbe committee which have not been examined by at least two of the examiners, approved by a majority of tbe coinmittea EDUCATIONAL WORK. The report of the standing committee on education was also considered seriatim. A portion was adopted at once. That part recommending that $25,000 be raisgd to aid in the education of young ministers called out several speechoi, but was finally adopted. The report of the committee was then adopted as a whole. The report of the committee on Sabbath schools, showing their gratifying condition, was read and adopted. A report on systematic beneficence sfeas read and answers to a number of overtures, being nart of this report, asking for the re peal of the present schedule of collections, and recommending that the collections taken up during the months named be for the causes specified. Two sections were adopted. Tho third section, which was con sidered too broad for the assembly to in dorse, was dropped. A PROLONGED DEBATE. When the time came for adopting the report as a whole, Dr. Davies earnestly op posed it on the ground that it was revolu tionary and that it was opposed to the directory of worship, and Dr. Shearer sec onded him on the ground that the adoption of the report would put Presbyterians on a level with the Methodist and other churches. The report favored the issuing of liconses to preach to men not regularly educated for the work. This was the con tested ground and the assembly prolonged its session half an hour to discuss it. At tbe end of that time a vote was taken on its adoption and it was lost. BILLS AND OVERTURES. The committee on bills and overture* sub mitted reports. The first ovorture was one from the Greenbriar presbytery, asking that the constitution be amended so that the elders and doacons bo required to take an examination on church doctrines and rules before they could be ordained. The committee recommended that this overture be docketed aud spread on tbo mlnntes, to come up before tbe next assembly. After some discussion tho recommendation was accepted. An overture from tbe synod of Arkansas asking what was to bo considered official proceedings of a church court, and if an error was aftorward found, how it was to be corrected, was answered that when the minutes of a meeting were npprovod they became the official proceedings, and cor rection could be made at a subsequent meeting. The report was adopted. THE COMMITTEE ON NARRATIVE. The report of tho committee on narrative was read by Dr. Jacobs. It stated that sixty-eight presbyteries bad submitted re ports, and they were based only on partial reports from the churches. Not more than 20 per oent. of the churches had made any report whatever. This failure to re port was to bo regretted. Tho state of things from the presbyteries beard from were, however, highly satisfactory. Many small churches were making no advancement, but tbe general report was good. It was estimated that not more than four-fifths of the population were professed ohristiaua. One hundred years ago the ratio was one to twenty-five. Sunday newspapers were denounced. Con tributions in the different churohes were spoken of as satisfactory. Tbe report was adopted and the committee discharged. THE REFORMED CHURCH. Dr. Campbell, from the committee on foreign correspondence, read a letter pre pared to be sent to the Reformed Church of America acknowledging the receipt of a letter from the delegate appointed by tbe Reformed eburoh to hear greetings to this assembly. The assembly would send no delegate this year, but assured the Reformed church of their unabated interest and joy at the tokens of divine favor in the prosperity with which they have been blessed. Tho auditing committee examined the accounts of Rev. Dr. Wilson, treasurer of the assembly, and found them neatly and properly kept. The accounts show a bal ance of $228. WANT THE PRINTERS IN CHURCH. The report of the committee on Sabbath was brought up and adopted. The last clause reftrs to Sunday newspapers as en couraging evil. They flood tne lad with p.-ruic.ou.-i literature. Church numbers were asked not to countenance them in any way. Rev. Dr. White of Texas introduced a resolution asking for tbe appointment of a chair for Bible study in the theological sem inary, and Dr. Hemphill introduced oue asking that the salary for 1890 for John W. Dabney, recently deceased missionary to Brazil, be appropriated for bis family. They were adopted. The report of the committee on syste matic beneficence, consideration of which was not finished last night, was again brought up. A motion to add that the col lection in February he applied to ohurch erection was carried. The report was adopted as whole. HELP FOR BISHOP WILMBR. The Alabama Episcopalians Elect an Assistant Bishop. Montgomery, Ala., May 33.—1n the diocesan council of the Protestant Episcopal church of Alabama to-day Rev. John 8. Lindsay of Boston, Mas*., was elected as sistant bishop, the consent of Bishop Wilmer to tne selection of an assistant having been first obtained. The remainder of the day was spent in hearing the report* of committees and other routine business. Rev. Dr. Lindsay, the new assistant bishop, is ans tile of Virginia and isbe tween 40 and 50 years of age. He has filled a number of charges in that state, and was until a year ago at Georgetown, D. C., whence he was called to a very important charge in Boston. The council adjourned to-night to meet next year at Anniston. INSURANCE ON CHUROHES. The Methodist Conference Discussing A Mutual Plan. St. Louis, May 23.— Bishop Haygood, the newly consecrated bishop, presided over the general conference of tho Methodist Epis copal church, south, this morning. After the religious exercises and tbe adop tion of a memorial on the death of Rov. Nathan Scarrott of Kansas City, the regu lar order was suspended to allow considera tion of the committee report recommending that the board of church extension establish u system of mutual insurance for churches. This led to a long debate. Some strong statements explanatory of tho difficulties in carrying out the project, made by David Morton, secretary of the board of ohurch extension, turned tho tide against the proposition, aud the report was rejected. BOOKS FOR THE COLLEGES. A resolution to give colleges and institu tions that are under the patronage of the church the new publications of the publish ing house was adopted. A recommendation by the committee on education, that a corresponding secretary, to draw a salary and do certain work, be given that committee, was laid on the table. A similar proposition on behalf of tho committee on Sunday schools met the same late. Tho oommlttee on publishing Interests re ported favorably a proposition to establish a paper on the Pacifio coast. It was adopted after debate. All the California delegates fa fored the scheme. An editor is to bo elected by the general conference, and SIO,OOO ap propriated to carry the paper along daring the next quadrennial. The session then ad journed. INSULTED BY TURKS. The Wife of a Russian Official and Her Daughter tho Victims. Constantinople, May 2K —lt has been ascertained that the ladie9 belonging to the Russian embassy who were assaulted while walking at Buyukdero were Dot tho daugh ter of the chief dragoman of the embassy and her governess, but hit wife and daugh ter. Neither of the offenders were Tursish soldiers, as at first stated, but were a Turk ish officer and five students. Tho ladles wore walking in tho garden when tuoy were soizod by the officer and students, who forcibly kissed them. A party cf sailors be longing to a Russian dispatch boat happened to be in the garden. They heard the ladies cry for help, and ran to their ro-oue. THE OFFENDERS CAPTURED. They captured four of the assailants, bat tbe fifth succeeded in making his escape for the time being. The sailors conveyed their prisoners to the Russian embassy and delivered them to M. do Nelidolf, the Rus sian ambassador. The day after tbe assault was committed the mail who made his escape was arrested aud locked up at the embassy, whore ho and his compan ions are still detained. The Turkish authorities asked that tbe prisoners be turned ovor to them for trial and punish ment, but M. do Neliiloff refuses to transfer them to tbe Ottoman officials, basing hts refusal on the ground that Turkish justice is illusory. Tho affair has created much comment, and it is feared that it will result in complications between the Russian and the Turkish government. STARVATION IN SOUDAN. The British Government Bending Re lief to the PeoDle. London, May 23. —In the House of Com mons to-day Henry W. Howortb, conserv ative, asked whether anything had been dono to relieve the sufferers from the ap palling famine in Soudan. According to reliable advices tbo population was starv ing and cannabalism was prevalent. The people were eating anything—dogs, cats, rats aud snakes being used for food. Around Tokar and Kassala hundreds of persons were dying daily from starvation, aud in othor parts tbe state of affairs was evea worse, nearly the whole popaiatiou having perished. Sir James Ferguson replied that relief had bee i given in every district that could be reached by tho government, but In places in tho interior, which were beyond tbe control of the government, famine was rife and many deaths bad occurred. Around Suakin 2,000 persons were being fed daily. Tbe failure of the crops for successive years, added to other causes, had led to the present intense distress. BEHRING SEA SEALERIES. A Query in the House of Commons TUat Woe Dodged. London, May 23.— 1n the House of Com mons to-day Stavely Hill, conservative, asked whether orders had been given to English war ships to protect English vessels legally trading in Behring sea. Sir James Ferguesson, under secretary, declined to make a definite statement in view of communications now proceeding between the American aud English govern ments. _____ A STORM IN PENNSYLVANIA. Several People Killed by Lightning and Many Towns Blooded. Pittsburg, Pa, May 23.— The heaviest rain and electrical storm known in years passed over a large section of Western Pennsylvania this evening, doing great damage to property and resulting in the loss of several lives. No serious damage was done in Pittsburg, but a groat deal is reported at McKeesport, Ureeusburg, Wash ington, Oil City, Wheeling, Erie, and other places. Several deaths by lightning oc curred and one engineer of a freight train was killed on the Nickel Plate road . by his train run ning into a chasm where a bridge bad been washed away. About all the towns in this section of the country subject to over flow under no circumstances suffered to-day, and all the railways have been busy clearing away landslides. The Baltimore and Ohio road is probably the worst sufferer in this way. A PBISST SHOT DOWN. Tbe Man Who Fired the Bullet Sup posed to be Crazy. Chicago, May 23.—Rev. Dr. S. M. Bar rett of 81. Stephen’s Roman Catholic church was shot on hts doorstep to-night and fatally wounded. He had been accosted by a young man who professed to be in a dying oondition from trouble of the heart. The supposed dying man suddenly drew a revolver and fired at the priest. Father Barrett’s slayer was speedily landed in a ceil. He gives every evidence of insanity. Papers showed the prisoner’s name to be Cady. I DATLYJIOA YEAR I < COPY. >• I WEEKLY.I.2S A YEAR 1 UNDER DIXIE'S OLD FLAG. CONFEDERATE COLORS ALREADY FLUTTERING AT RICHMOND. A Newspaper Office Decorated from Top to Bottom with the Emblem That Confederates Love So Well— The Governor Proclaims the Day of the Unveiling a Holiday. Richmond, Va., May 23.—The State leads off to-day in confederate and -coratio a in honor of Gen. Lee. Its buildiDg is cov ered from top to bottom with confederate colors, and battleflags.wave from every window. None but confederate colors are display**!. The only legend that appears on the fagade of the building is this: “R. K. Lee, America’s greatest man." These confederate decorations will be fol lowed up to-morrow by the State's twenty page paper, styled the confederate edition, filled with hitherto unpublished war arti cles, reminiscences and confederate battle songs. a historic flag. The students of William and Mary col lege, who will take part in tbe unveiling ceremonies, will bear a beautiful standard whioh wns the flag of Virginia when she was a British colony. It greatly resembles tbe last adopted confederate flag. The union is modeled after the British union jack, and the field is white except that the ends ore throe red, white and bine bars. On one side is “Williamsburg, 1774,” and. on the other “Raleigh C*ve.” Noti es of the acceptance of invitations by military and veterans to be present at the unveiling are pouring in upon tlio committees from all over tho country. BUSINESS TO BE SUSPENDED. Gov. MoKinney to-day issued the follow ing proclamation: VVhehsas, Thursday, May S9, is the day set apart for the unveiling of the nquestriau statue! of den. Robert E. Lee, and it is desirable! and proper that every citizen of Virginia should have an opportunity on that occasion to do honor to the memory of that Incomparable citizen and soldier, now, therefore, I, P. W. McKinney, governor of the commonwealth, do hereby order the heads of tho departments of the commonwealth to close their respective offices for public business; and I do request tbe citizens of the commonwealth to refrain from secular employment that day, to be made for ever memorable in the history of the world Uy the expression of the people's devotion to patriotism, justice and truth. It Is to be re gretted that I am without power to authorise' banks of discount and deposit in the state to suspend business at tbe same time. REDUCED RATER AUTHORIZED. Washington, May 23.—Tho House com mittee on commerce has directed a favor able report to be made on tho bill amend ing the interstate commerce law, so as to permit railroad companies to give reduced rates to the veterans attending the national encampments, with an amendment extend ing tho same privileges to veteran confed erate soldiers. RIVERS AND HABBORE The House Continues Its Considera tion of tbe BUI. Washington, May 23.—The House this morning went Into committee of the whole, with Mr. Burrows in tho chair, on the river and harbor bill. Mr. Elliott of South Carolina moved to lnoreaso the appropriation for improving Winyaw bay, 8. C., from SIOO,OOO to $150,000. The motion was lost. Mr. Hitt of Illinois moved an amend ment to give the city of Galena, IU., the right to take up tho work of harbor Im provement there, dropped by tho govern ment, and complete it, providing that the oity shall then receive $109,000. The amend ment was adopted. THE HENNEPIN CANAL. When the paragraphs appropriating $500,- 000 for the construction of the lUinois and Mississippi (Hmmopin) canal was reached, Mr. Turner of Georgia made tbe point of order that the connnitteo on rivers and harbors had no jurisdiction over canals. He said that on April 9 a communication from tbe Seoretary of War, transmitting a report! on the survey of the oaual, was referred to the committeeeon rivers and harbors, and? there might be a question as to whether that reference gave tbe committee jurisdic tion. He (Mr. Turner) did not believe that it did. But even if tbo committee had| acquired jurisdiction in that way, it couldr not properly include a canal scheme in the river and harbor bill, as had been decided in preceding congresses. Ponding a decision the committee rose. The speaker appointed Mr. McMillin of Tennessee as conferee cn the customs admin* istrative biU in the placo of Mr. Carlisle, excused. The House at 5 o’clock took a recess until 8 o’clock, the evening session to bo for ths consideration of private pension bills. Tbo House In evening session passed forty] two private pension bills. HOUSE ELECTION CONTESTa Tbe Republicans to Seat Two Morel Men of Their Own Stripe. Washington, May 23.— The House com mittee on elections to-day voted upon thd three of the pending contested election cases, and the result will probably be an increase of the republican majority in the House by two members. The cases de cided this morning were those of Langston vs. Venable, from the Fourth Virginia dis trict: Miller vs. Elliott, from the Seventh Soutn Carolina district, and Chalmers vs, Morgan, from the Second Mississippi di* trict. Iu tbe first two cases tbe committee reported in favor of seating tbe republican contestants, Langston and Miller, but in the Mississippi case tbe report is in favor of the sitting member, Mr. Morgan. THE BRECKINRIDGE CASE. Before tbe full committee met Represen tative Lscey’s subcommittee on the Clay ton- Breckinridge case had a short session, which was devoted entirely to discussion of the further order of proceedings. Ex-Attor ney General Garland, as counsel for Mr. Breckinridge, expressed a desire to submit further testimony upon a branch of ths case which had not yet been presented to bis satisfaction. Chairman Lacey remarked that the sub committee was disposed to admit all perti nent testimony, but preferred that this ba taken by deposition iu Arkansas or verbally in Washington, as the subcommittee did nob desire to again visit Arkansas. Mr. Gar land will submit a formal application to continue the argument on Monday. BROKER PELL CONVICTED. A Possibility that He Won t Wreck Any More Banks Soon. New York, May 23.—Broker George Hamilton Pell, who has been on trial in ths court of sessions, charged with grand lar ceny in the first degree in connection with the Lenox Hill, Equitable and Sixth Avenue bank wrecking iucidents, was found guilty by the jury to-night and remanded till Fri day for sentence. “That tired feeling” is entirely overcome by Hood’s Sar-aparilla, which gives a feel ing of buoyancy aud strength to the whole system.— Adv.